Public Statements

Statement

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today applauded House passage of the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), legislation introduced by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) that approves the Keystone pipeline and eliminates legal and regulatory barriers to its construction and the tens of thousands of jobs it will create:

"When American families hit the road this Memorial Day weekend, they'll once again be paying the price for the Obama administration's failed energy policy. Gas prices have nearly doubled on the president's watch, draining family budgets and making it harder for small businesses to hire. The Northern Route Approval Act, part of Republicans' plan for economic growth and jobs, will help families and small businesses by approving the Keystone pipeline and removing barriers that could keep it tied up in legal limbo for years.

"The Keystone pipeline will create tens of thousands of American jobs and pump nearly a million barrels of oil to U.S. refineries each day, helping to lower gas prices, boost economic growth, enhance our energy security, and revitalize manufacturing. The project is backed by a majority of the American people, including members of the president's own party. Labor unions have rallied for its approval, saying it's "not just a pipeline, it's a lifeline.' Unfortunately, after nearly five years of blocking the project, it's a lifeline President Obama is refusing to toss American workers.

"House Republicans will continue fighting for the Keystone pipeline as part of our jobs plan that cuts red tape and unlocks more of America's resources. It is time for the president to put his political calculations aside, work with Republicans to approve the Keystone pipeline, and advance a growth and jobs agenda that will help our economy grow and put more Americans back to work."

NOTE: Learn more about the Republican Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs at GOP.gov/jobs.